Athletics linked to interesting trade with Royals for 3.76 ERA All-Star pitcher
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Athletics linked to interesting trade with Royals for 3.76 ERA All-Star pitcher originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Athletics are close to finding their long-term home in Las Vegas, and when they do, they're likely to explore more pitching upgrades to pair with their elite young lineup.
For now, the A's aren't likely to splurge on any rental starters at the trade deadline. But, what about some long-term options who cold be made available that are still fairly young? Would the Athletics go after such a player?
Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly linked the Athletics to such a player in the form of Kansas City Royals' 3.76 ERA All-Star pitcher Cole Ragans. This potential trade would be very interesting, and it would make a lot of sense for the A's.
Athletics linked to trade for Royals' Cole Ragans
"If healthy, Cole Ragans could be an interesting piece to target and try to get back on track," Kelly writes. "He's shown ace form in the past for the Royals, and can't become a free agent until after the 2028 season."
With the Athletics currently projected to have their debut season in Las Vegas in 2028, adding a pitcher like Ragans, who's under control through at least 2028, would be a fascinating trade deadline plan this year.
Ragans is a bit banged up, as he's on the injured list and even recently had a setback that forced him to miss a bit more time due to an elbow injury.
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But, if Ragans can get healthy, and the Royals continue to falter with their 22-32 record, then the A's, regardless of whether they stay atop the AL West, could acquire Ragans.
He's 28 years old and under club control through the 2028 season. He has a 3.76 ERA in his big league career and had a ridiculously impressive 3.14 ERA season in 2023 for Kansas City.
But, after an injury-shortened 2025 with a 4.67 ERA, he has a 4.84 ERA in eight starts so far in 2026. There is some risk here with Ragans, but the upside is worth considering for the Athletics.
Trading for Ragans likely won't be too expensive due to his injury issues, so the Athletics could try to make a high-risk, high-upside trade with the Royals to acquire a new left-hander starter who could be a long-term ace for the team from now through 2028.
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